Review and Giveaway: 'Til St. Patrick's Day by Holly Gilliatt

As per the usual, my life has been running in 1,000 different directions since, well...last year. Yeah, the holidays. Hockey has devoured our lives since October and we FINALLY finished our last tournament this past weekend. So, hopefully now that practices and traveling is over, I can get back to READING!!!

So, back to why we are here today. Last June (sigh...yes, 9 months ago) my family and I went to St. Louis for a little getaway with the kiddos. My hubby is from the area, as he grew up in Dorsey, IL, and graduated from Edwardsville High School (I won't mention what year). He still keeps in touch with his high school best friend so we were excited to hang out with his family while we visited. Well, one morning while we were at breakfast his wife mentioned she had a friend that wrote a book. I immediately dropped my fork into the syrup and picked up my phone to look it up. LOL It sounded really good, so I marked it on my wish list (because I can't remember anything if I don't write it down) and figured I would purchase it when I got back home. Well, the next week I received an email from Ms. Gilliatt! I was ecstatic to hear that she was interested in sending me a couple signed copies, one to read and review and the other to giveaway!

So here we are in March with St. Patrick's Day upon us, it's only fitting to share it with you now.

'Til St. Patrick's Day

by Holly Gilliatt

 

 

Synopsis:

 

For three best friends, one winter will change everything.

Chronically optimistic Jayne is surprised she's still single at twenty-eight. But as always for Jayne, there's hope. This time his name is Gray--a successful, gorgeous marketing VP that she can't believe is going out with her. She's never given up on the belief that the right man for her is out there, somewhere. Maybe Gray could be the one...if she just works hard enough to make it happen.

Her cynical friend Karen is suspicious of Jayne's new guy with his model looks and over-inflated ego. She's concerned for Jayne, but has her own relationship to worry about. Not that anything's wrong with her boyfriend. He's actually perfect for her, which is why she's terrified. Not sure she can ever fully trust a man again, she considers bailing on yet another relationship.

Claudia is always there for her friends, no matter what they're going through. She mothers them like the children she craves to have, relieved she's no longer navigating the dating world. Happily married, Claudia can't wait until the day her husband finally agrees it's time to start a family.

'Til St. Patrick's Day is a novel exploring the depths of friendship and what happens when love doesn't go according to plan.

 

Review:

 

Let me start by saying I don't care for John Mayer. Yes, the singer. You're probably asking yourselves, what in the hell does he have to do with this book? Well, you see, the title of this book is based on the premise of his song, St. Patrick's Day. Have you heard this song, like really listened to the lyrics? It's really sad in a hopeless romantics mind. LOL Here's the jest of the song, basically, you're in a relationship that usually ends by St. Patrick's Day because no one wants to be alone over the holidays. OUCH!!! I wasn't sure I wanted to read this book after all! LOL I want a happily-ever-after, or at least a go 'ol college try...not a "I'll-keep-you-around-so-I'm-not-alone" relationship.

 

So going into this book I had this in the back of my mind. Let it go, let it go...  So, when I was introduced to Jayne, Ms. Ray-of-Sunshine and Optimism, I thought, oh man, this woman is in for a rude awakening. Her two best friends, Claudia and Karen were my "keepin it real" sistas. LOL I really don't know how better to describe these two. All three are very strong in their own rite, but they all have their own struggles, everyday struggles, that we ALL go through. I was able to identify with each one in a certain way, which made it that more enjoyable. I was able to laugh at myself in a few instances even. They weren't millionaires, they weren't famous, they were just suburban women trying to find their paths in this crazy world. Refreshing.

 

That is, until Jayne meets Gray. A successful, Marketing Guru that probably sleeps with his Blackberry and watches the Dow before he goes to bed. He makes Jayne feel things she never has before, and keeps her wondering if this is the man that she has always wanted to fall in love with. I won't go into too much detail with this, because there was frustration...or struggles, I should say, when it came to this relationship. SOOOOO effing frustrating! Like, I wanted to shake some people because of it. But here's the thing...this stuff, that Holly wrote about, it's true! IT HAPPENS EVERYDAY! Again, why it's so frustrating!! Because if you've ever had a best friend fall for "that guy", all you want to do is shake the shit out of her. LOL I digress...

 

Moving on...

 

The first half of this book moved pretty slow for me. I just really couldn't find that flow I was looking for, probably because I was so damn frustrated with a couple of these characters. BUT, the second half moved so much better for me. The plot lines started to take twists and turns that I really didn't see coming, which kept my interest and certain characters made uncharacteristic moves. Ahhhh redemption!! I am a BIG believer in the fact that people are put into or lives for a reason. We may not know that reason right off that bat, but through simply things that are revealed in our journey, we eventually realize it. It may be that we see changes in ourselves or someone else for the better, of find something or someone from that experience that makes a huge impact down the road.

 

All in all, this was a pretty refreshing Women's Fiction read. It wasn't an "insta-love" novel, but the emotions did churn until that one page turn, when BAM!! Holly grabs you, hook, line and sinker.

 

In closing, Holly's 'Til St. Patrick's Day  just confirmed what I have always believed to be true: You don't find love, love finds you in the most unexpected way possible.

 

Rating:

 



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